Agricultural implement with a scraper internal to a rolling basket

ABSTRACT

An agricultural implement having a rolling basket is disclosed. A stationary blade is disposed inside an inner chamber of the rolling basket and attached at ends of the rolling basket near the bearings that are connected to the rolling basket. The rolling basket rotates around its major axis via the bearings, while the blade is held stationary. The stationary blade has sleeves at the ends, and each of the sleeves is connected to a post of a support arm and locked into the posts via a pin.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a rolling basket for anagricultural tillage implement for crumbling soil for agricultural use.

BACKGROUND

An agricultural tillage implement for crumbling soil can include one ormore rolling baskets. A rolling basket is commonly disposed andconnected at a rear of an agricultural tillage implement for crumblingsoil, firming up the soil profile, breaking up clods of soil, and/orenhance the seed bed.

SUMMARY

An agricultural tillage implement having a rolling basket is disclosed.One or more of the rolling baskets can be attached at an end of theagricultural tillage implement after rows of disk coulters. The rollingbasket functions to break up clumps of dirt.

A stationary blade is disposed inside an inner chamber of the rollingbasket and attached at ends of the rolling basket near the bearingsconnected to the rolling basket. The rolling basket rotates around itsmajor axis via the bearings, while the blade is held stationary. Thestationary blade has sleeves at the ends, and each of the sleeves isconnected to a post of a support arm and locked into the posts via apin. The stationary blade can be a part of an internal scraper disposedinside an inner chamber of the rolling basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side schematic view of an embodiment of anagricultural tillage implement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of anembodiment of an agricultural tillage implement assembly having tworolling baskets.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of one of the rolling baskets shownin FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “rolling basket” generally refers to a “basket roller” as usedby American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) StandardTerminology and Definitions for Agricultural Tillage Implements. Arolling basket is assembled and connected to be a part of anagricultural tillage implement. The agricultural tillage implement canhave one or more rolling baskets assembled thereto.

It has been discovered that conventional rolling baskets are prone toplugging in muddy or moist conditions. The present invention solves theplugging problem with an internal scraper in the rolling basket. Theinternal scraper (e.g. stationary blade) disrupts the flow of mud insidethe inner chamber of the rolling basket. That is, the internal scraperprevents the mud from pushing into the center of the inner chamber ofthe rolling basket which otherwise tends to fill up the rolling basket.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an agricultural tillage implement 10,having a front 12 that is configured to connect to a puller (e.g. atractor) (see arrow). The agricultural tillage implement 10 includes atillage equipment assembly 14 and a support member 16, wherein thesupport member 16 is directed towards a rear 18 of the agriculturalimplement 10 and the support member 16 is connected to and supports arolling basket assembly 100, which includes one or more rolling basket102 connected to a support arm 120 connected to a support bar 160. Thetillage equipment assembly 14 has a frame 20 and various tillageequipment attached to the frame 20. The tillage equipment assembly 14can have one or more tillage equipment connected and assembled thereto.The tillage equipment assembly 14 which can include a harrow. The harrowcan be, for example, a disk harrow, single disk harrow, a tandem diskharrow, an offset disk harrow, and/or a one-way disk harrow. FIG. 1shows the tillage equipment assembly 14 including a plurality of teeth26 for mixing and leveling the soil surface. The teeth 26 can beround-wire teeth, spike teeth, and/or spring teeth. Further, althoughnot shown, the agricultural tillage implement 10 can include one or moreplows, such as a chisel plow, a moldboard plow, a disk plow, acombination chisel plow, a subsoiler, a field cultivator, a row bedder,and/or a row crop cultivator. Further, although not shown, the tillageequipment assembly 14 can include a vertical tillage disc. The frame 20includes wheels 28 to support the agricultural tillage implement 10 onthe ground. The wheels 28 can be used to control a digging depth of theagricultural equipment (e.g. harrow 22 and/or teeth 26).

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a rolling basket assembly 100 for anagricultural tillage implement (10 shown in FIG. 1) including tworolling baskets 102, 104. Each of the rolling baskets 102, 104 has agenerally cylindrical shape formed by a plurality of blades 106, 108. Inother embodiments, one or more of the blades 106, 108 can be replacedwith wire rods or bars. The plurality of blades 106, 108 of the rollingbasket 102, 104 extend from near one end along a major axis 110, 112 ofthe rolling basket 102, 104 to an opposing end of the major axis 110,112, respectively. The rolling basket assembly 100 has the two rollingbaskets 102, 104 aligned so that the each of the major axis 110, 112 arealigned and/or parallel to each other.

The rolling basket 102 has the plurality blades 106 disposed generallyevenly spaced around a circumference defined by a fixed radius away fromthe major axis 110 thereby forming a “basket” structure. The basketstructure defines an inner chamber 114 of the rolling basket 102. Thebasket structure has a plurality of openings 115 connecting the innerchamber 114 to the outside of the basket structure.

The plurality of blades 106 can be straight or curved (e.g. helical) asthey extend axially from one end 116 of the rolling basket 102 to anopposing end 118. When in use, the rolling basket 102 is positioned onthe ground so that its major axis 110 is substantially parallel with asurface of the ground, and the plurality of blades 106 rotate around themajor axis 110 to work the soil.

The rolling basket 102 is connected to two support arms 120, 122 viabearings 124, 126. The bearings 124, 126 are connected to the rollingbasket 102 at ends 116, 118 of the rolling basket. The bearings 124, 126are configured to allow the rolling basket 102 to rotate around itsmajor axis 110 (as shown by, for example, arrow 128). The arrow 128 isnot intended to limit a direction of the rotation of the rolling basket102. Accordingly, the rolling basket 102 can rotate in either directionof the arrow 128.

The support arm 120 has a post 130 configured to connect to the bearing124. The bearing 124 is configured to rotate around the post 130. Thesupport arm 122 also has a post 132 configured to connect to the bearing126, wherein the bearing 126 is configured to rotate around that post132. Thus, the rolling basket 102, which is connected to the bearings124, 126 rotates around the posts 130, 132.

In the embodiment shown, an axial shaft for rotating the rolling basket102 is not included in the rolling basket 102.

An internal scraper 134 includes a stationary blade 136 connected to twosleeves 138, 140 at each end of the stationary blade 136. The firstsleeve 138 receives the post 130. A pin 142 can be inserted intomatching openings 144, 146 to lock the first sleeve 138 stationary withrespect to the post 130. The opening 144 is in the first sleeve 138 andthe opening 146 is in the post 130. The bearing 124 is disposed betweenthe support arm 120 and the first sleeve 138 on the post 130. A washer148 can be provided between the bearing 124 and the first sleeve 138 toaid in rotation of the bearing 124 with respect to the first sleeve 138.

Similar to the configuration of the first sleeve 138, the second sleeve140 receives the post 132. A pin is inserted into matching openings ofthe second sleeve 140 and the post 132 to hold the second sleeve 140stationary with respect to the post 132. The bearing 126 is disposedbetween the support arm 122 and the second sleeve 140 on the post 132. Awasher can be provided between the bearing 126 and the second sleeve 140to aid in rotation of the bearing 126 with respect to the second sleeve140.

The first sleeve 138 and the second sleeve 140 are configured to makethe internal scraper 134 stationary when the rolling basket 102 isrotating (i.e. during operation of the rolling basket 102). Accordingly,in addition to the pins 142 and/or as an alternative, each of the firstsleeve 138 and the second sleeve 140 can have a locking structure thatmake the sleeves 138, 140 stationary with respect to the to therespective posts 130, 132.

The rolling basket 104 is assembled similarly to the rolling basket 102.Fully assembled, the internal scraper 150 is disposed inside the innerchamber 152 of the rolling basket 104. The rolling basket 104 hasopenings 153 connecting the inner chamber 152 to the outside of therolling basket 104. The stationary blade 154 of the internal scraper 150extends radially away from the major axis 112 of the rolling basket 104.The rolling basket 104 has the stationary blade 154 extending verticallyin the “up” direction, away from the surface of the ground. The internalscraper 150 is connected to the support arms 156, 158 and is heldstationary with respect to the rotating blades 108. The rolling basket104 is connected to bearings at each ends, similarly to the rollingbasket 102 described above.

In other embodiments, the stationary blade may extend in otherdirections with respect to the surface of the ground. The stationaryblade is never extended “down” towards the surface of the ground.

The support arms 120, 122, 156, 158 are connected to a support bar, i.e.a horizontal bar 160 via, for example, a plurality of pins 162 (e.g.U-bolt) and nuts 164. The pins 162 are inserted through openings in anupper base portion of the support arms 120, 122, 156, 158 and the nuts164 engage the pins 162 from the bottom of the upper base portion. Othermeans of connecting the support arms 120, 122, 156, 158 are possible.

The internal scrapers 134, 150 are fixedly positioned so that they donot rotate around the major axis 110, 112 when the rolling baskets 102,104 rotate around their major axis 110, 112. Accordingly, when largepieces of material are introduced into the inner chambers 114, 152 thelarge pieces will move towards the internal scrapers 134, 150 by therotating motion of the rolling baskets 102, 104. As the rolling baskets102, 104 rotate, material inside the inner chamber of the rollingbaskets 102, 104 may move up (e.g. away from the ground) with therotating motion. As the material reaches the top of the rolling baskets102, 104, the internal scrapers 134, 150 make contact with the materialand prevent the material from moving along with the rotation of therolling baskets 102, 104. Thus, the internal scrapers 134, 150 provideresistive force for the materials. The resistive force provided by theinternal scrapers 134, 150 prevents the materials from rotating with therolling baskets 102, 104. Accordingly, the materials disconnect from therolling baskets 102, 104 and then with the aid of gravity, fall downtowards the direction of the ground. The materials can contact therotating blades 106, 108 as they fall down and this contact can help inbreaking down the materials to smaller sizes. Then, the materials aredischarged (i.e. removed) via one of the openings 115 of the rollingbaskets 102, 104.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the FIG. 2, near anend 116 of the rolling basket 102. The rolling basket 102 includes theplurality of blades 106 defining the inner chamber 114 of the basketstructure defined by the plurality of blades 106. The plurality ofblades 106 are connected to an outer ring plate 200 and an inner ringplate 202. The outer ring plate 200 is located at the end 116 of therolling basket 102 and includes a central opening 206 with a notch 208extending in a radial direction away from a center of the outer ringplate 200. The central opening 206 receives the sleeve 140 of theinternal scraper 134 and the notch 208 receives the stationary blade 136of the internal scraper 134 during assembly, so that the internalscraper 134 can be disposed inside the inner chamber 114 of the rollingbasket 102. The inner ring plate 202 has an inner opening 210 that has alarger diameter than the central opening 206. Preferably, the inneropening 210 has a radius that is substantially the same as a radialdistance of the notch 208. Thus, the inner opening 210 allows therolling basket 102 to rotate around the stationary blade 136 without theinner ring plate 202 directly contacting the stationary blade 136.

Advantageously, a rolling basket having an internal scraper can preventmaterials from getting stuck in the basket structure of the rollingbasket. This can improve performance of the rolling basket (andagricultural implements that include the rolling basket). Further, therolling basket having an internal scraper can prevent and/or reducedamage to the equipment by aiding in breaking apart large materials thatcan get otherwise stuck in the inner chamber of the rolling basket.

With regard to the foregoing description, it is to be understood thatchanges may be made in detail without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. It is intended that the specification and depictedembodiment to be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the broad meaning of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural implement with a rolling basketfor breaking and mixing a soil surface, comprising: a basket structureincluding a plurality of blades extending from one end to an opposingend along a major axis of the basket structure, wherein the plurality ofblades define an inner chamber of the basket structure, the innerchamber being accessible via a plurality of openings provided betweenportions of the blades, the basket structure configured to rotate aroundthe major axis; and a scraping edge disposed in the inner chamber of thebasket structure for breaking up a material from the inner chamber asthe basket structure is rotated around the major axis, wherein thematerial is removed from the inner chamber of the basket structure viaat least one of the plurality of openings.
 2. The agricultural implementaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a support bar extendingsubstantially parallel to the major axis of the basket structure;support arms connected to the support bar and the basket structure andconfigured to allow rotation of the basket structure; and sleevesconnected to the support arms; wherein the scraping edge is connected tothe sleeves on said support arms so that the scraping edge is stationarywith respect to the basket structure when the basket structure rotates.3. The agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein the scrapingedge is configured only in an upwards direction, so that the scrapingedge is not towards a surface of the ground when in use.
 4. Theagricultural implement according to claim 2, wherein the basketstructure includes only the scraping edge connected to the support armswithin the inner chamber.
 5. The agricultural implement according toclaim 1, wherein the rolling basket is a first rolling basket and saidimplement further comprises a second rolling basket, wherein the firstand second rolling baskets are connected to the support bar, and thesupport bar extends substantially parallel to both rolling baskets. 6.An agricultural implement with a rolling basket structure for breakingand mixing a soil surface, said implement comprising a rolling basketwith an inner chamber having outer ring plates at each end of the innerchamber and a scraping assembly for being disposed in the inner chamber,said implement further comprising: supporting arms supporting saidrolling basket; an elongated scraping edge having a first end and anopposing end, said scraping edge extending between the ends of the innerchamber; sleeves disposed at the ends of the inner chamber and fixedlyconnecting the ends of the scraping edge to the supporting arms; andbearings disposed between the supporting arms and the outer ring plates,wherein the bearings are configured to connect to the ends of therolling basket to allow the rolling basket to rotate around with respectto the elongated scraping edge.
 7. The agricultural implement accordingto claim 6, wherein the outer ring plates include central openings and anotch in at least one of the central openings, said central openingsreceiving said sleeves to allow for rotation of said roller basketrelative to said scraping edge, said notches for allowing said scrapingedge to slide therethrough during assembly.
 8. A method for making anagricultural implement with a rolling basket structure for breaking andmixing a soil surface, said implement comprising a rolling basket withan inner chamber having outer ring plates at each end of the innerchamber and a scraping assembly for being disposed in the inner chamber,said implement further comprising supporting arms supporting saidrolling basket, an elongated scraping edge having a first end and anopposing end, said scraping edge extending between the ends of the innerchamber, sleeves connected to the ends of the scraping edge and disposedat the ends of the inner chamber and fixedly connecting the ends of thescraping edge to the supporting arms, and bearings disposed between thesupporting arms and the outer ring plates, wherein the bearings areconfigured to connect to the ends of the rolling basket to allow therolling basket to rotate around with respect to the elongated scrapingedge, said method comprising: providing the scraping edge with sleevesand the rolling basket with outer ring plates having central openingswith at least one central opening having a notch therein; inserting thescraping edge to the inner chamber of the rolling basket through one ofthe central openings and notch; connecting the bearings and the sleevesto the supporting arms; and connecting the bearings to the outer ringplates, wherein the rolling basket is configured to rotate around andwith respect to the scraping edge.